Msamrcasweethart A Wins Freehold Feature Friday

The featured race at Freehold Raceway this Friday (February 5), an upper-level conditioned pace for fillies and mares, was a mad scramble. Amidst the chaos at the wire, Msamrcasweethart A emerged to win by 1 1/4 lengths.

 

A recent Australian import, Msamrcasweethart A won her stateside debut at Freehold on New Year’s Day. After two unplaced tries at Yonkers Raceway, Jenn Bongiorno decided to send her charge to Freehold. She was made the 7/2 third favorite in the field of eight.

 

Leaving from post position three, Joe Bongiorno put her in fourth early on, then grabbed second-over cover as the field neared the half-mile point. 

 

As they neared three-quarters, Msamercasweethart A loomed second-over, while favored Abuelita Hanover loomed to her direct outside. Sally Fletcher A, whom Msamercasweethart A was following, poked a head in front, and Msamercasweethart A continued to follow her moves. 

 

When they entered the stretch, Abuelita Hanover began to weaken, and Bongiorno found a hole to his outside. He angled his drive to the three-path, and took his shot at the leaders. With a sixteenth to go, the top seven were covered by about three lengths, and it looked like anyone’s race. With clear sailing in the last few yards, Bongiorno asked for pace with Msamercasweethart A, and she responded in kind, pulling clear late for the win. The final time over a “good” track was 1:56.1.

 

The winning mare is now 2-for-4 in her American career, and 8-for-20 overall, with earnings just over $35,000. Robert Weinstein is the winning owner.

 

Live races continues at Freehold on Saturday (February 6), with a 13-race card commencing at 12:30 PM.